Global Internships: Stockholm, Sweden

Summary

Gain first-hand knowledge, connections, and work experience through an academic internship in Stockholm, Sweden. On this program you will:

• Undertake a professional internship opportunity to build transferable skills in the career field of your choice
• Earn academic credit for your internship via a ten-week online course
• Learn about the Swedish welfare system and history through an on-site course taught by an Uppsala University faculty member
• Live with other program participants in shared student apartments

About Stockholm

Sweden's capital city of Stockholm is the country’s primary cultural hub, with an abundance of options for cuisine, art, music, and nightlife. Built on 14 islands and connected by an array of bridges, the "Venice of the North" is one of the cleanest capital cities in the world, promising water views and fresh air as part of your commute. During the summer you can enjoy mild temperatures and longer days (18 hours of daylight at the solstice!), culminating in Midsummer festivities with the locals on June 24. 

Any participant in this program with demonstrated financial need is also automatically eligible for a $1,500 Nordic Center Global Internship Scholarship (see the BSA scholarship page for more details about other ways to augment this scholarship amount through extra advance coursework). 

Program Details

Dates:

• Stockholm:  June 6 - July 31, 2025
• Online Course: June 9 - August 15, 2025

Dates are subject to change.

Units: 6 units

Language of Instruction: English

Two Required Courses:

On-site course:

• HISTORY N100G: The Swedish Model of Welfare Capitalism: Causes, Consequences, and Challenges (3 units)

And an online course of your choice:

• UGIS W157: Experiential Learning (3 units) or
• UGIS W158: Global Citizenship (3 units)

Housing

• Students will live in shared apartment accommodations in Stockholm
• Students will have access to a shared bathroom and small kitchenette to prepare meals.
• Students will share rooms with other program participants in doubles. Gender-inclusive housing options may be available, upon request. If you have clarifying questions, please feel free to reach out to the program staff.

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last 12 months
• At least one year of college coursework completed by the start of the program
• 2.0 GPA or higher
• At least 18 years old at the time of application
• Not on academic probation or under censure for student misconduct at any point from application review to the end of your program

Application

• Application opens December 2, 2024 at 9 am PST
• Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
• Deadline to apply is January 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST

Courses

In addition to your internship, you will take an on-site local history course and an online internship course for a total of 6 Berkeley units.

On-site Course

Course: SCANDIN 188
Title: The Swedish Model of Welfare Capitalism: Causes, Consequences, and Challenges
Dates: June 6 - July 31, 2025
Instructor: Maria Nordbrandt Bergström, Ph.D.
Units: 3 units
Prerequisites: None

Sweden has for long been seen as epitomizing a particular, social democratic model of welfare capitalism. Sometimes analogized to a bumblebee that ‘defies gravity’ by managing to fly against all odds, this model has drawn widespread interest due to its relative success in combining a competitive economy with a generous welfare state and low levels of economic inequality. However, recent developments have raised renewed concerns about the sustainability of the Swedish model and some observers now point to a rapid decline of ‘Swedish exceptionalism’.

The purpose of this course is to provide a fundamental understanding of the historic roots, key characteristics and contemporary challenges of the ‘Swedish model’. The course will revolve around three overarching questions: First, what are the core policies and principles of the Swedish model as compared to those in other advanced economies, and what consequences does this model have for the living conditions in a society marked by growing diversity? Second, how can we best explain the historical developments of the Swedish model of welfare capitalism in a national and international context? Third, what are the current challenges facing this model and what do they imply for its future viability and for society at large?

In exploring these questions, the course is also intended to familiarize the students with the various actors involved in shaping and administering social and labor market policy in Sweden, including the parliament, the government, economic actors and civil society organizations. The course will therefore combine lectures and discussions based on applicable research with visits to institutions and organizations with relevance for the Swedish welfare state.

This course will satisfy the L&S Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement.

Online Course

Option 1:

Course: Undergraduate & Interdisciplinary Studies W157
Title: Experiential Learning
Dates: June 9 - August 15, 2025
Instructor: Richard Thomas Ashcroft, Ph.D.
Units: 3 units
Prerequisites: None

With this course, you will be able to add a new dimension to your internship experience: a reflection on what it is to be both a worker and citizen in a globalizing world. You will be challenged to use your internship experience as an opportunity to explore the importance of cultural / generational differences in the workplace, professional ethics and personal values, and the structure and norms of different types of organizations. A series of audio-visual lectures, practical exercises, writing assignments, presentations, and online group discussions will ask you to engage in honest self-reflection about what you want from your career, and to develop the skills you need to succeed personally and professionally in a rapidly changing world.  We hope that this course will help understand the challenges of the modern global workplace and guide you towards a successful and fulfilling career. 
 

Option 2:

Course: Undergraduate & Interdisciplinary Studies W158 
Title: Global Citizenship
Dates: June 9 - August 15, 2025
Instructor: Jeroen Dewulf, Ph.D.
Units: 3 units
Prerequisites: None

With this course, you will be able to add a new dimension to your internship experience: a reflection on global citizenship. You will be challenged to use your internship experience as an opportunity to critically explore cultural differences, modes of conduct and values. A series of audio-visual lectures, practical exercises, writing assignments, projects, and online group discussions will stimulate you to leave the comfort zone of what you are familiar with and to explore alternative views on right and wrong, good and bad and the beautiful and the ugly. The course will also encourage you to interact with locals and to engage with the city/region/country where you live during your internship. It is our hope that this course will help to increase your consciousness about the challenges of being a global citizen.

Consult with your college/major advisor to see which degree requirements these courses may fulfill.

Registration

Global Internships staff will enroll you in courses after your acceptance to the program. Please make sure there are no active blocks on your student account that may impact your course enrollment.

Instructors

Maria Nordbrandt Bergström, Ph.D.

SCANDIN 188: The Swedish Model of Welfare Capitalism: Causes, Consequences, and Challenges

Dr. Maria Nordbrandt Bergström is a postdoctoral researcher working broadly within the fields of political sociology, political theory, political psychology, and public opinion in particular. Her current research includes the social basis of climate attitudes, the gap between climate values and individuals' carbon footprint, and the role of nationhood in fueling or attenuating affective polarization.

She holds a Master's degree in Political Science from Umeå University and a Ph.D. in political Science from Uppsala University.

Richard Thomas Ashcroft, Ph.D.

UGIS W157: Experiential Learning
Email: rashcroft@berkeley.edu

Richard Ashcroft is a Lecturer in UC Berkeley’s Department of Political Science and Interdisciplinary Social Science Programs, and former Postdoctoral Coordinator for the Network for a New Political Economy. His research and teaching explore how modern societies should evolve in the face of deepening diversity and disagreement, with a particular focus on the connections between postwar multiculturalism, political economy, and the legacies of empire. He teaches courses on the political theory of multiculturalism, classical and contemporary political economy, and US, UK and EU politics.

Dr. Ashcroft is from Winchester in the United Kingdom. He read Theology at Oxford, before attending law school in London and qualifying as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. He spent several years working for a leading US-UK firm specializing in tax and trust law, and then became a legal aid lawyer in South London acting for the homeless and tenants of social housing. During this period he received an MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights, before completing his PhD in Political Science at UC Berkeley in 2018.

Jeroen Dewulf, Ph.D.

UGIS W158: Global Citizenship
Email: jdewulf@berkeley.edu

Dr. Jeroen Dewulf is an Associate Professor in the Department of German at the University of California Berkeley where he teaches courses in German Studies and Dutch Studies. He is also Queen Beatrix chair as well as Director of the Institute of European Studies and Director of Dutch Studies.

Born in Ostend, Belgium, Dr. Dewulf graduated in Dutch and German Philology at the University of Ghent. He holds a Master's degree from the University of Porto and a Ph.D. from the University of Bern. His areas of specialization are European Studies, particularly related to (multi)cultural identity in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Post-Colonial Studies, in particular, Dutch colonial history and literature.

Internship

The Global Internships team works one-on-one with you to find an internship based on your academic background, experience, interests, as well as employer needs and availability. Internships in Stockholm are available in a variety of fields, and internship placement is guaranteed.

Examples of past internships:

• Entrepreneurship Intern assisting the Head of Growth in all marketing and sales-related activities including preparing lead lists, finding relevant leaders on platforms like LinkedIn, approaching whenever necessary, have preliminary introduction calls and assists in preparing proposals.
• Graphic Design Intern for a company whose goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by climate labeling meals for restaurants. The intern will develop the company’s graphic profile, develop and create social media content, and update campaign materials.
• Non-profit Intern supporting a green organization through sustainable resume and development projects including organizing digital campaigns for the Swedish public, researching and writing articles on human rights and circular economy, and more.
• Public Relations Intern at a software company with projects that engage in business development strategy and work with sales and communication teams for new markets.

Opportunities can vary year-to-year due to such factors as market trends, time of year, and economic trends. Common industry sectors for internships include, but are not limited to:

Examples of past internships:

• Entrepreneurship Intern assisting the Head of Growth in all marketing and sales-related activities including preparing lead lists, finding relevant leaders on platforms like LinkedIn, approaching whenever necessary, have preliminary introduction calls and assists in preparing proposals.
• Graphic Design Intern for a company whose goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by climate labeling meals for restaurants. The intern will develop the company’s graphic profile, develop and create social media content, and update campaign materials.
• Non-profit Intern supporting a green organization through sustainable resume and development projects including organizing digital campaigns for the Swedish public, researching and writing articles on human rights and circular economy, and more.
• Public Relations Intern at a software company with projects that engage in business development strategy and work with sales and communication teams for new markets.

Opportunities can vary year-to-year due to such factors as market trends, time of year, and economic trends. Common industry sectors for internships include, but are not limited to:

• Accounting
• Advertising
• Business Development
• Creative Arts
• Entrepreneurship
• Engineering
• Event Planning
• Fashion
• Finance
• Graphic Design
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Journalism - limited
• Legal - must speak Swedish
• Logistics - limited
• Marketing
• Non-profits - limited
• Public Relations
• Publishing - must speak Swedish
• Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
• Sports Management
• Sustainability
• Video Production

Costs

Tuition and Program Fee

Any participant in this program with demonstrated financial need is also automatically eligible for a $1,500 Nordic Center Global Internship Scholarship (see the BSA scholarship page for more details about other ways to augment this scholarship amount through extra advance coursework). 

The fees to participate in this program are broken down into 1) tuition and 2) program fees, which are applied to your student billing account as follows:

Fees are subject to change. All non-Berkeley students must pay an additional Document Management Fee of $71.

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses

In addition to the fees outlined above, Berkeley Study Abroad has estimated amounts for out-of-pocket expenses. These amounts are used to calculate financial aid packages for eligible students. Actual expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for UC Berkeley students who are enrolled in at least 6 units during the summer.

​​Financial aid estimates for 2025 Berkeley Global Internships programs are now available in the Summer Financial Aid Estimator in your Cal Central account.

Please FIRST obtain your estimate in the Summer Aid Estimator, then write to travelaid@berkeley.edu if you have any questions about the estimate you receive. Your estimate will include a Berkeley Study Abroad Scholarship if you qualify for one based on financial need.

How to locate the Estimator:

1) Log into Cal Central
2) Navigate to the My Finances Tab, and find the "Financial Resources" card
3) Scroll to the bottom of the Financial Resources card and click on Summer Sessions
4) From the Summer Sessions menu, click on Summer Cost and Aid Estimator

Make sure to adjust the number of units in the estimator if your program offers a choice of course selection. If your program only offers one combination or one course for 6 total units units, you do not need to update the units in the estimator.​

All other students should contact the financial aid office at their home institution for more information.

Explanation of Fees

Tuition is based on a per unit cost:

• The UC undergraduate student rate is $419 per unit
• The visiting student rate for all non-UC participants is $615 per unit

The program fee includes the following items:

• Housing in shared, apartment-style accommodations
• Academic and career advising to support your overall professional development and progress towards your degree
• Preparatory workshops ranging from professional communication to preparing for video interviews
• Personalized placement process (Customized outreach, matching, interview facilitation, and confirmation of internship details)
• Location-specific orientation to city, industry, and internship placement
• Synchronous meetings and engagement with your supervisor/teammates
• Professional development modules and virtual networking events
• Access to local and regional events such as a cultural performance or cooking lesson
• Ongoing coaching and internship support
• Midpoint review & final evaluation
• The initial non-refundable deposit of $300, which will be charged on February 3, 2025, is applied to the program fee.

Please note that the list of items included in the program fee is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.

The following items are excluded from the program fee:

• Personal expenses (routine medical expenses, toiletries, etc.)
• Meals
• Course materials (textbooks and readers)
• International airfare
• Other travel expenses (passport, visa, etc.)
• Commuting costs for the daily travel to and from your internship

Timeline

*All dates are subject to change.